Free Agency 2019! Available Wide Receivers and Likely Landing Spots

Free agency is less than two weeks out and NFL teams will aim to give their quarterbacks some better receiving weapons. Which wide receiver will land somewhere that will make him a WR1 in 2019? @ItsMickyD discusses possible landing spots for the more likely fantasy relevant wide receivers looking to hit the open market

It is no secret that the NFL is a passing league. Even the best quarterback in the league puts up better numbers with more quality receiving weapons to toss to. The 2019 wide receiver free agency class is weaker than previous years, but there are still players that will make their new teams better while leaving a hole in their previous lineup. Will Antonio Brown be traded this spring? Will Golden Tate play for a fourth NFL team? These are only a couple of huge questions that will change the landscape of the NFL’s wide receivers heading into the 2019 Free Agency period. These takes are assuming they test the market and do not re-sign with their current teams.

Unrestricted Free Agents

Possession receivers like Tate are critical for a balanced passing game. Reliable hands over the middle of the field can be even more valuable to an NFL team than the burners on the outside. The two teams I like for Golden Tate this offseason are the Jets and Ravens. The Jets have close to $100 million in cap space so it’s easy to see them signing a top option at every position, especially a position like wide receiver when their only starter signed past 2019 is the oft-injured Quincy Enunwa. That being said, I have an equal desire to see Golden Tate in Baltimore. Both teams will have a 2nd year quarterback and the Ravens have been known to go hard at veteran wide receivers in free agency. With Michael Crabtree and Golden Tate as the 1A and 1B and Willie Snead in on three receiver sets, Lamar Jackson will have plenty of weapons for a sophomore passing breakout year.

My Favorite Landing Spot: Baltimore Ravens – 3 yr/$24 million

Fantasy Implications

Tate will be a starter on whichever team he signs with. With another receiving option to go along with the multitude of Raven tight ends, Lamar Jackson’s passing numbers should see a boost. We witnessed his legs in year one and I am expecting to see his arm add to his fantasy numbers. The running back situation is unknown in Baltimore, but a healthy Kenneth Dixon appears to have the coaching staff’s support and that adds to Jackson’s potential in the passing game.

The Chiefs already have Tyreek Hill and Sammy Watkins locked up for a the foreseeable future so Conley will be hitting the market. Conley is a talented and capable wide receiver, but for some reason, he isn’t a big name in free agent discussions right now. I have included him because I see him becoming an excellent sleeper candidate wherever he lands. Cue Aaron Rodgers. Green Bay has several young options that just couldn’t get it done alongside Davante Adams in 2018. While Equanimeous St. Brown and Marquez Valdez-Scantling will battle it out to earn that coveted third wide receiver spot, Conley has the youth, athleticism and size to become a top fantasy wide receiver in 2019 with the Green Bay Packers.

My Favorite Landing Spot: Green Bay Packers – 4 yr/$20 million

Fantasy Implications

We all want one of Aaron Rogers’ main targets. With two number one talents, Rodgers should have a bounce back 2019 campaign. Adams will continue to be a top five option and Conley will make a case for himself in the high upside WR2 conversation.

As long as Robby doesn’t threaten to cum in any cops’ wive’s eyes this offseason, he should see some pretty significant contract offers. His big play ability has been an enormous fantasy asset during his time with the Jets and I expect that big play ability to follow him this offseason. There are two teams that stand out as early favorites in my opinion. Both the Washington Redskins and Miami Dolphins have a giant question mark at quarterback and a need for a play making wide receiver. While Washington has more of need at the position, smart money is on Robby being enticed by the lack of state income tax in Miami.

My Favorite Landing Spot: Miami Dolphins – 4 yr/$50 million

Fantasy Implications

With some offensive line help and a competent quarterback, the Dolphins have the pieces to make for an interesting fantasy relevant team. Kenyan Drake and Kalen Ballage will be a very capable committee and both Kenny Stills and Albert Wilson will open up the field while Robby Anderson is doing his work over the top. I’m looking for Teddy Bridgewater to take his talents to South Beach to really make the Dolphins an intriguing fantasy factory.

Without reading ahead, try to guess Randall Cobb’s age. If you guessed 30+ congratulations on a being with the majority. The mistaken majority. Cobb is only twenty-eight, but seems to be breaking down like a guy out the door. Someone in need of a veteran presence in their receiving core will sign him for peanuts and I’m looking for that team to be the Denver Broncos. Demaryius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders are gone and although DaeSean Hamilton and Courtland Sutton are capable starters, I see the Broncos bringing Cobb to oversee his younger peers.

My Favorite Landing Spot: Miami Dolphins – 2 yr/$15 million

Fantasy Implications

In this scenario, Cobb will man the slot position and give the Broncos an enviable starting group of wide receivers. We don’t know if the Case Keenum experiment will continue into 2019, but if it does, he will have the necessary weapons to make the Denver offense fantasy relevant again. The running game will stay about the same with Cobb in the mix, but the passing game should see a slight boost especially if the knew coaching staff uses a three receiver set regularly.

Adam Humphries showed that he can handle a heavy workload in Tampa. My first gut feeling was that he’d find his way to New England, but after a little more research I have landed on Washington as my favorite to sign him. Alex Smith will likely not be back this year (or ever) after that incredible leg injury, but once a quarterback is figured out, the Redskins will need a quality possession wide receiver to help the new quarterback’s transition to the team. Look for the Clemson product to sign something in the $11-$15 million per year range.

My Favorite Landing Spot: Washington Redskins – 4 yr/$50 million

Fantasy Implications

The lack of a quarterback is the most concerning issue in Washington. I’m staying away from the Washington receiving core until I see something serious that changes my mind. Josh Doctson has a hype train following for some reason, but I don’t buy it. Humphries is worth a late round flyer to see what happens, but let someone else grab a Redskin receiver before the 10th round in redraft leagues.

The elder of the Chargers’ Williams brothers will be on the move this offseason. Tyrell is a quality 2nd fiddle for Phillip Rivers and I see him continuing this role in Indianapolis behind TY Hilton. With a top quality quarterback like Andrew Luck distributing the targets, Williams will have the opportunity to play for a playoff caliber team and a Pro Bowl quarterback alongside other top end talent. The Colts and their bottomless pockets may be able to offer a little extra to ensure Luck has a true number two behind Hilton rather than the countless disposable backup receivers on the roster.

My Favorite Landing Spot: Indianapolis Colts – 5 yr/$50 million

Fantasy Implications

The Colts as a whole are buy now. In dynasty I am trying to get both Marlon Mack and Nyheim Hines as well as Luck and Hilton. Luck likes to target his tight ends in the end zone so that will lower the ceiling on the wide receivers slightly, but I still like the yardage and big play ability of a wide receiver being targeted by Andrew Luck.

Follow me on Twitter @ItsMickyD and follow the show @IDPGUYS. Tune in to the weekly IDPGuys podcast for critical information that will allow you to dominate your friends and enemies. Disagree with my take? Tweet me your projection. Prove me wrong and be entered to win a championship ring for your league in 2019